Top Art Competitions 2024/2025

Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.

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  • clear overview of the best grants, prizes, residences
  • search and restrictions filters
  • personalized recommendation
  • deadline reminders and agenda
  • monthly cancellable

Deadline

Jan 3, 2025

Information

Sony World Photography Awards

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

5,000 $ + Equipment

Location

London
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 8, 2025

Information

V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: Unity

Reward

2,000 £ + Exhibition

Location

London
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Open to all women and is trans-inclusive

Deadline

Jan 10, 2025

Information

Sony World Photography Awards

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

Photographer of the Year: 25,000 £ + Solo exhibition + Sony equipment

Location

London
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 12, 2025

Information

The Scott Creative Arts Foundation - Emerging Artist Award

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Graphic / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics

Reward

1,250 £ + Exhibition
500 £
250 £
100 £

Location

Thirsk
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Yorkshire and the Humber (GB)
For up and coming artists of all ages who are living in the Yorkshire region

Deadline

Jan 14, 2025

Information

Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting
Theme: Portrait

Reward

35,000 £
12,000 £
10,000 £
9,000 £

Location

London
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

The work entered must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic and must be on a stretcher or board, preferably framed and unglazed.

Deadline

Jan 28, 2025

Information

Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing
Theme: Watercolors

Reward

Winsor & Newton Award: 3,000 £ + Exhibition
Winsor & Newton Product Prize: 1,000 £ + Exhibition
Leathersellers' Prize: 1,000 £ + Exhibition
President’s Choice Award: 750 £

Location

London
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 11, 2025

Information

Scottish Landscape Awards

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Graphic / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: Works that reflect all dimensions of natural and/or synthetic environments

Reward

10,000 £ + Exhibition
5,000 £
3,000 £
1,000 £

Location

n.a.
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Scotland (GB)

Deadline

Feb 14, 2025

Information

De Reus Foundation Art Prize

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing

Reward

1,000 £
500 £

Location

Cambridge
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1994 (included) and 2006 (included)
Resident of United Kingdom
Size restrictions: max 150 x 150 cm.

Art Competitions – Prizes, recognition and exposure

Art competitions are great opportunities for artists, offering cash prizes along with the rewards of exposure and recognition. By validating your artistic practice, they increase your visibility in the art world. Art competitions can serve as a catalyst that accelerates an artist's progress to success. Visit our website to view the best current art competitions.

Are you looking for open calls for art competitions in a specific country or city? Check our carefully chosen selections:
FAQs: Art Competitions

Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding art competitions here:

What is an art competition?

Art competitions are events where artists are invited to submit their work based on a particular theme or category. Organized by a variety of entities such as institutions, galleries, or other art organizations, these competitions aim to identify, acknowledge, and support talented artists. A panel of judges typically awards prizes, exhibitions, publications, or other forms of recognition to the best entries. Winning art competitions offers artists crucial exposure and recognition.

What are typical prizes of art competitions?

Art competitions offer artists a variety of prizes. These can range from cash awards, to opportunities in order to exhibit works and gain exposure. Some competitions also offer artist residencies, scholarships, as well as art supplies or equipment as prizes. Winners may have their work featured in a catalog, an art magazine, or on an online platform, increasing recognition and exposure. Ultimately, winning awards become a valuable addition to an artist's resume.

The list of art competitions on our website specifies in each case clearly what the “prize“ entails.

How does the judging process work?

The jury panel generally consists of a number of distinguished persons from the art world, who, over the course of several rounds, individually decide which applications to eliminate or pass on to the next rounds. Shortlisted works are then subjected to further scrutiny. The process concludes with the panel collectively deciding on the winners.

How do I apply for an art competition?

Most open calls for art competitions require artists to submit a comprehensive application, including a portfolio, an artist statement, and a resume. The number of applicants for art competitions is often high, especially for the more prestigious prizes. Therefore, your application needs be impactful, clear, straightforward, and inviting to review.

Do you need help in these matters? Check our online courses “How to make a portfolio” and “How to write an artists statement” which serve as step-by-step guides giving you all the tools you need to build a strong application for art competitions.